Working Girl

That's right...I found a job in Rochester!!  Remember that interview I had while I was up there?  It's for that position!! I will be working for Dr. Marc Brown at the University of Rochester in the Mohs clinic (U of R Derm. clinic).  I'm extremely excited about starting this new position.  The hours are amazing...Monday-Friday 0900-530pm, no weekends and no holidays.  I feel like I'll have somewhat of a life again with Zach.  Right now I work 4 days a week and work 0700-6pm and an occasional Saturday. While I like my job and the people I work with, the hours are long and I'm so tired when I get home that I don't really feel like doing anything but going to bed.  At least with the new job I'll be able to get up and fix breakfast for everyone instead of jumping out of bed and grabbing a granola bar or nothing.  I'll also get home before 6pm and will be able to fix dinner and not feel rushed.
We also found a place to live.  It's not one of the places we looked at while we were there, but we are hoping it's everything we think it is.  It's a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom townhouse right outside of Rochester in a town named Brighton.  It's about 1250sqft and has a finished basement.  I'm over the moon about the additional space we're getting.  Our house now is probably less than 900sqft!  The community itself is less than 2 miles from work, school and daycare.  We will all be on the same campus everyday.  Me and Zach on the medical campus and Doug across the street on the school campus.  Brighton also has one of the better school districts, so hopefully we LOVE living there since Zach will start elementary school during our time in Rochester.  That makes me ill thinking about him going to school.  Moving on...
My mind is so consumed with moving and all that it entails these days.  I've wanted to move for so long and now that the time is so close, I'm extremely nervous.  I didn't think I would miss Hampton Roads, but the more I think about it and the people I know and love...I'm definitely going to miss them...
Doug is going to be taking full advantage of the stay at home dad routine until he has to start classes.  Our community has a pool, so I'm pretty sure my baby boy will be learning how to swim this summer.  He'll have a pretty good teacher.  :)

We would love love love some visitors, so everyone start making plans!!

xoxo
Sarah

Ears and Rochester

I really should have posted about this sooner...
Zach had his tubes put in on March 16.  I felt awful the entire time leading up to the procedure.  He couldn't eat anything after midnight the night before, so we kept him up trying to stuff him with food and drink.  I think we all crashed by 10.  The next morning we had to be at the hospital by 830 and his procedure wasn't supposed to start until 1030.  How was I going to tell my hungry 2 year old that he couldn't have any "nilk" when he woke up?!  Soooo hard!!  We went back around 930/945 to prep.  There really isn't any prep; however, it was a nightmare.  He was so incredibly freaked out by everything that he never stopped crying.  He eventually fell asleep on my chest while we waited for the doctor to get to the hospital (10:30 procedure...he rolled in at about 10:45).  They came and took him off my chest and as soon as they walked out of the room he started crying and calling for "mommy".  Heart-breaker.  I started crying.  I couldn't help it.  After I calmed down I went to get something to drink.  I was dying.  Since he couldn't eat or drink, we didn't either.  We all waited in his room for him to get finished (me, Doug, Charlene and Jan).  It only took them about 20 minutes or so to finish.  When they walked him back to his room, he was really out of it.  He was EXTREMELY emotional.  Doug's sister gets like that...maybe he gets it from her :)
All in all the surgery went well and he doesn't seem to be having any more ear aches.  He goes back in about 3 weeks to have a follow up.  I'm supposed to be using ear plugs or cotton with Vaseline on it during bath time.  Yeah right...he wants no part of that.
We went to Rochester this past weekend to visit the University.  Such a looooong trip.  We left right after my uncle's memorial and it took us about 10 or so hours to get there.  The university put us up in a nice hotel for 3 nights and paid for our rental car...thanks U of R!  We had a very busy 3 days.  We looked at a few houses and I interviewed a few day care centers (they are waaaay more expensive there).  I also had a job interview while we were there!  That was an extreme chance of luck!!  I feel really good about it, especially since the main doctor wants to have a phone interview after meeting with me.  Fingers crossed!!

The view of the university from our hotel

chatting and giggling with some ducks

 We did have some fun while we were there.  Zach and I went to the National Museum of Play while we were there and we had a fantastic time.  The museum is pretty big and it had a lot of neat features.  It even has a carousel and diner car inside for lunch!  All in all we had a good time and we are excited about moving and getting settled!

Dancing with his Love

 For those that don't know, my sweet uncle Don passed away last week.  He has been struggling with diabetes and cancer for some time and he lost his battle on Tuesday.

I really thought I was prepared for when his "time" came.  It wasn't until that morning when I received the call that I realized I wasn't.  For years, due to his health conditions, a lot of thought he would pass before my aunt but he proved himself a fighter!  After the love of his life passed away he declared that he had "a lot more living to do".  And he did.  For 2 years.  Ironically, he passed 2 years to the month that she did.

My uncle was a very stoic and quiet man(mostly because I think she let him do most of the talking).  He served time as a paratrooper in the United States Army.  He worked almost his entire life whether it was for American Standard or working with his son, Steve at his businesses.  He was an active member of his church (attended every Sunday) and Civitan.  He also "served time" as one of my parents.

I don't know if he ever really knew how much he meant to me.  I talked more to my aunt (remember, he's kinda quiet...well, until you get him reeeaaally angry :)   ) mostly because she was my mother figure and girls tend to be closer to their mothers.  The man deserved a medal for taking me in and treating me as one of his own.

I have a lot of good memories of him and for that I'm grateful.  I do have some favorites though.  He was the one that took me to get my driver's permit (my 2nd go'round).  He had to take a driving test the same day and he almost didn't pass.  Then when we got up on the interstate I noticed that the speedometer wasn't working and I told him and all he could say was "Hmm.  I didn't notice on the way over.  Just don't speed".  

Every night before he would head upstairs to his office or bed he would come down to tell my aunt goodnight with a kiss.  I don't ever recall a time when he didn't kiss her goodnight.  

He danced with me at my wedding.  He started a square dance at my wedding.  

He was one of the first people to hold my child after he was born.  He let me refer to him as "granddad" for Zach.  He called himself "granddad" when talking to Zach.

I don't know what the "after life" holds for us, but I do know that if there is one...he is finally home with his love...probably catching up on some dancing.

The Big Day

So, this year for Valentines day we spent it like most others...apart.  It happens.  When you work on a rotating schedule and your gone for 24 hours at a time, you tend to miss some holidays, birthdays, etc.  We did have the opportunity the day before to go out to dinner and Doug got me a dozen beautiful red roses.  He can be thoughtful.  I was able to spend time with Zach at his Valentines party.  He was certainly the cutest boy at the party!  Despite being apart on Valentines day, Doug did receive some amazing news.  Remember how I've mentioned that he's applied to graduate schools?  HE GOT INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER!!!  His first choice!!  It's an amazing school and is raked 3rd for his program!  He was beside himself when he called to tell me (he got an email from the school while he was at work).  I could barely understand him and I thought he was hurt!!  As if this wasn't amazing enough, he was offered a FULL scholarship (totally paid for for the next 5 years, HOLLA!!), plus he was awarded a fellowship, stipend, health insurance and the opportunity to work as a research assistant.  We just can't believe it!  I STILL can't wrap my head around all of this.  We have a lot to do before we can move.  We have to sell our house, find a new house and I have been scouring the internet looking for jobs in my free time.  We also have to find day care...not looking forward to interviewing for that.  The good news is, if we move up there before the school year begins, Doug can stay with Zach during the day and we would have time to look for day care options.
I am so incredibly excited, nervous and anxious all at the same time.  We won't know a soul when we move and we lose our support system here.  I think what I'm having the hardest time with is leaving Doug's parents. Zach loves his Moo Moo...he loves Clay, too, but he is IN LOVE with Charlene.  He asks for her on a daily basis.  She is the only grandmother he knows and I cringe and get emotional at the thought of them being that far apart from each other.  Hopefully they will come to visit... A LOT!!  (hint hint)
We are looking at homes with a lot of space, 2-3 bedrooms and a yard for the dogs.  The dog part is the hardest.  A lot of places don't want to rent to someone with animals and if they will, you have to pay a huge fee or they'll accept one animal.  We've had our dogs for about 6 years and I know finding them a new home would tear everyone up.
We EXPECT everyone to visit!!  We'll be so close to so many amazing things, cities, etc.  Niagara Falls comes to mind...
That's all for now, but we'll keep everyone updated once we know more details.  We're going up at the end of the month to tour the school and get a better idea of where we stand with everything.

xoxo,
Sarah

I have been so terrible about this blog.  I don't know why I can't seem to keep up.  Maybe because every time I try to get on the computer, I have a little person wanting to help me.  Makes it hard.

Since the last time I wrote, we went to DISNEY WORLD!!  My baby got to meet his idols!!  We went to Disney the second week in December for my mother in law's birthday.  She wanted to do something big and exciting for such an important birthday.  We went along with Doug's parents and his sister and her family.  Zach had an awful time on the flight down (he was starting with a cold), but was able to fall asleep and wake up happy when we arrived.  

Waiting for everyone to get to the airport

He finally fell asleep on the plane...poor baby.

When we arrived in Orlando, we got on the Disney Magical Express!  It's a bus that takes you to and from your resort/airport.

riding to our resort!

seat jumper

We stayed at the Contemporary Resort.  I believe it was one of the very first resorts built on the property, but you wouldn't be able to tell that based on the remodel that they've done.  It was pretty cool.  The monorail came right through our resort...RIGHT THROUGH.  Hear me?  Not outside...in the resort.  The kids thought it was pretty neat..and it was.

Look what was in our room when we arrived!

The night we got there, we went to the Boardwalk area for Charlene's birthday dinner.  We ate at Cat Cora's restaurant Kouzzina.  Very Mediterranean.  Very good.

The Boardwalk area

I would have taken more pictures, but the camera was on the fritz.  Wanna take a guess on why?  It has to do with a certain little boy.

The next morning we had a character breakfast at Ohana's in the Polynesian Resort.  "Ohana means family".  Zach wasn't too sure about Lilo and Stitch, but he was IN LOVE when he saw the Mickey characters.

Charlene and Stitch

The only character at this breakfast that was aloud to touch her.  She hid under the table , armed with a fork, when the others came around.

he sees Mickey for the first time!

"luh chooo".

After breakfast we went to Magic Kingdom.  All of the parks are great, but this one is my favorite.  I loved how they all looked decorated for Christmas.

this is how he spent meal time

Cinderella's Castle

Doug and I took Zach to a character breakfast in our hotel one morning...at 7am

look how happy he looks!!

are those googly eyes I see?  

We had an amazing time in Disney and I can't wait to go back!!  Before I had Zach, I had it in my head that I wouldn't do character themes in the kids rooms or dress them with little characters on their clothes, but now I've come to realize that I AM that mom...within reason.  He loves it and that's why I do it.  Plus, he looks so darn cute!!

We had a pretty low key Christmas this year.  We were all so tired and spent from our Disney trip.  Doug also had to work, so that put a damper on it.  We spent some time with both of our families, which was nice.  I love family time.  Zach got a tricycle from my cousin Susan for Christmas.  It's one of those Radio Flyer tricycle's that has a detachable pole for the parents to help push them.  He loves it!  Some of his other favorites were his painting supplies, a talking Buzz and Jessie and a Mr. Potato Head.  The boy loves his Toy Story.

Doug finished applying to his graduate school choices.  Now we wait.  I despise waiting.  I just want to know so I know where we stand.  I'm a planner.  I like to have my ducks in a row.

I think that's all for now.

Until the next post!

S~

It happened....

...he turned 2.  As much as I protested against it, it still happened.  Why?!  Why do they have to grow up so fast?!  Look how little he was...

November 15, 2009...priceless.

I remember thinking after I gave birth, "I can't believe I actually did it!".  It was something so amazing and awesome and I did it!  He was so perfect, beautiful, amazing, everything I had ever dreamed of wrapped up in a 7lb 5oz package of pure baby boy bliss.  ::Sigh::

And then, 2 years later, I'm celebrating his 2nd birthday.  How did 2 years creep up so incredibly fast?  I don't feel as though time went by THIS fast before Zach was born.  Why now?  Is it that whole cliche of "time flies when you're having fun" kinda thing?  Life with Zach IS fun...unpredictable...amazing...but I would be ok if it went by a little slower.

He had an awesome 2nd birthday party.  I did a train theme because he loves him some trains!  However, do you KNOW how hard it is to find train themed party supplies that isn't Thomas the Train?  No offense toward you Thomas lovers, but Zach doesn't know who he is.  So, since I couldn't find any that I liked, I made my own.  They don't exactly scream "train", but they're cute and I worked hard on them.

My first attempt at cake decorating.  I wish I could take credit for the train, but I had it made from Etsy.com

little engineer bandannas. 

The birthday banner I made :)

Audrey!!

More decorations.

I really should have given this to him last.  I ended up moving it so he could concentrate on other gifts!

toy pots and pans!  he loves to "cook" and mommy loves picking up every single last 120 pieces of play food...thanks Aunt Jan!

hmm...what to open next

daddy helping Zach blow out candles.  I know.  Those candles are huge.  We had to improvise.  Don't hate!

Me and my cousin Beth.  Her and Audrey drove all the way down from Manassas to help celebrate <3

Oh, look! 120 pieces of food on my coffee table!

drawing on his new easel from Aunt Susan, Uncle Matt and Mitch.  He loves this!!

Doug drew characters from which movie?  He thought it would be cute for Zach to see when he woke up the morning of his birthday.

I decorated it with balloons.  I actually decorated the living room with balloons.  Maybe a little overboard, but the look on his face when he saw it...priceless.  Totally worth it!

Gifts from mommy and daddy on his birthday.

yes, he got a Minnie.  He loves her!

So those are some pictures from his party.  He had a great time and we so appreciate everyone who came, called, skyped, and sent birthday love to Zach.  He is such a loved little boy and so lucky to have so many wonderful people in his life.